Community Library Informational Profiles for City Government and Community Relations
Contra Costa County Library
Innovation Synopsis
Challenge/Opportunity
In 2008, OCLC published research on library funding and advocacy that pointed to the importance of using targeted marketing messages to build support for libraries. The report's findings indicate that public perception of the library is an important predictor of funding support, and that government officials in particular respond to advocacy that emphasizes return on investment and strategic partnerships.
With a combined $4 million in budget cuts during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 fiscal years, the partnerships between the county and cities are critical. As facilities and maintenance costs for the 25 community libraries are shifted to their cities, effective and successful communication to city governments and the local community are essential in fostering organizational support, encouraging long-term growth, and maintaining the overall success of Contra Costa County Library.